After much prayerful consideration, and with the approval of my family, I announce today that I am a candidate for the United States Senate to fill the unexpired term of Senator Thad Cochran.

As Senator Cochran retires, all Mississippians can look with pride on his record of accomplishment. He was a tireless advocate for Mississippi; for its farmers, its rural towns; for its health clinics and for its schools and universities. His door was open to all Mississippians. My wife and I wish him the best as he pursues a well-deserved rest from public service.

Above the din of chaos, acrimony, and bitterness that characterizes so much of Washington today, Senator Cochran evidenced a calming voice. And though we didn’t always agree, I recognize that his deliberate approach was enormously helpful because it enabled solutions to be reached more expeditiously-with less posturing and partisan rancor.

It is in this same spirit that I offer my candidacy- to rise above party and partisan wrangling in an effort to appeal to all Mississippians- as we unite to show the nation, at the end of this second decade of the 21st century- just how far we have come.

My grandfather’s legacy serves as the foundation of this campaign. Born as the son of slaves, Thomas Jefferson Huddleston rose to relative affluence amidst the failed promise of federal Reconstruction. Except for the period of slavery, he lived in perhaps the most dangerous time to be an African-American in Mississippi. Yet he defied the odds and led his community with courage and resolve. Under the organizing theme of “group economics” he built a health insurance company; thirty-six funeral homes; a newspaper that boasted a circulation of 100,000 subscribers, and a hospital, in which my twin sister and I were born.

He didn’t foster guilt, or let hate overcome him. And he refused to let his emotions and the conditions of his time destroy the goals he envisioned for his community. He simply had too much work to do.

Similarly, the selfless example of my father, Henry Espy Sr., still serves useful purpose for me. Dad was the ultimate agriculturist, graduating as the protégé of Dr. George Washington Carver, of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. After graduation he became one of the first black USDA County Extension agents in Arkansas.

On my first day as United States Secretary of Agriculture, one of my staffers went to the basement vault and unearthed my Dad’s reports. As I silently read, I recognized that his refrains still echo forward into modern times: he felt that the agriculture agency in Washington was too large and slow, and that the stodgy bureaucracy didn’t treat farmers as priority “clients”, as it should have; he bemoaned the high costs of production, and believed that the farmers were not being offered enough support through the federal farm programs to secure markets for the crops grown by farmers under his tutelage.

Dad soon left USDA to move to Mississippi to take over the funeral homes from my aging grandfather. Cutting the grass, driving the family cars, comforting the bereaved, and “making” the funerals on weekends, I did almost every job required to sustain our small business. It is during this formative period that I learned the value of hard work, of being responsible, and of having to make a payroll.

Our parents, Jean and Henry Espy, passed on to each of their seven children certain beliefs that I continue to hold today- beliefs that I pledge to pursue and defend on behalf of every Mississippian if privileged to become your next United States Senator:

………………………….

I know what it takes to have to fight for a good name- because I had to fight for mine. When false accusations are leveled I believe you have no choice but to fight. For me it took four long years before the record was finally corrected- but it was, and in the end I emerged triumphant. This ordeal made me stronger, wiser, and more humble and faithful- and I discovered that in Mississippi, unlike Washington, people who know you best would give you the benefit of the doubt. My respect and admiration for the hospitable nature and charitable spirit of Mississippians is something for which I will be forever grateful.

As a state, often we are defamed, dismissed and disregarded. Many of these criticisms are cynical, petty, and unfounded. But some criticisms ring true. Where we can do better, I will offer mature leadership- but where hostility is without merit, I will vigorously defend the communities and the causes of our state.

Lastly, mine will be an independent voice in Washington. As is known, on occasion I have crossed party lines to vote for the candidate who in my estimation would do the best job for Mississippi. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, I cast such an independent vote. My view then remains my view now- whatever is best for Mississippi is where I will be.

If elected to this important position, I will work everyday to be a shining example of the positive qualities of our state- and I will work to unify this state like no one before me ever has. I am asking for your votes, your prayers and your confidence as we work to push Mississippi forward- and to rise above the fray.

We can do better. We have to do better. There is no more time for disunity and dysfunction. We simply have too much work to do.

114 Responses to Thursday Open Thread | Meet Mike Espy

“Corley stated that white people in his community are “completely surrounded by” minorities and he personally feels that there are “a bunch of white liberals & minorities who've conspired together to cut the white, working class out of power…”

Today, we permanently suspended @realalexjones and @infowars from Twitter and Periscope. We took this action based on new reports of Tweets and videos posted yesterday that violate our abusive behavior policy, in addition to the accounts’ past violations. https://t.co/gckzUAV8GL

Brett Kavanaugh says he hasn't had any "inappropriate" discussions about the Mueller investigation as a nominee, which is an interesting way of saying he has discussed the Mueller investigation since Trump nominated him.

They do not, however, much like each other. Folks who follow the team closely or know people either with the Tigers or in the Detroit media scene have been aware of this for a while. Generally it’s just chalked up to stylistic differences and stubbornness, no doubt compounded by having to spend so much time together in close quarters. While there has, on occasion, been some coolness between the two of them during broadcasts and less of the fun banter a lot of broadcast teams share, they have always been professional on the air.

Who knew that it was this, bad, though? From Katie Strang of The Athletic:

Multiple sources told The Athletic that neither Impemba nor Allen were part of Wednesday’s broadcast due to a physical altercation between the two television personalities following Tuesday’s game in Chicago against the White Sox. It is not immediately clear what prompted the attack.

Burt Reynolds, the charismatic star of such films as Deliverance, The Longest Yard and Smokey and the Bandit who set out to have as much fun as possible on and off the screen — and then wildly succeeded — has died. He was 82.

Reynolds, who received an Oscar nomination when he portrayed porn director Jack Horner in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights (1997) and was the No. 1 box-office attraction for a five-year stretch starting in the late 1970s, died Thursday morning at Jupiter Medical in Florida, according to manager Erik Kritzer.

Always with a wink, Reynolds shined in many action films (often doing his own stunts) and in such romantic comedies as Starting Over (1979) opposite Jill Clayburgh and Candice Bergen, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) with Dolly Parton, Best Friends (1982) with Goldie Hawn and, quite aptly, The Man Who Loved Women (1983) with Julie Andrews.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its new planned “popular” Oscar “merits further study” and will not present the new category at the upcoming 91st Academy Awards.

The organization stated that “while remaining committed to celebrating a wide spectrum of movies,” it recognized that implementing any new award nine months into the year “creates challenges for films that have already been released.”

The AMPAS board of governors will continue to be actively engaged in discussions and will be seeking input regarding the category going forward.

“There has been a wide range of reactions to the introduction of a new award, and we recognize the need for further discussion with our members,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “We have made changes to the Oscars over the years — including this year — and we will continue to evolve while also respecting the incredible legacy of the last 90 years.”

The Manafort trial logistics have been docketed. Court will go M-F starting at 9:30. No coming/going while court is in session, be there or be square! I'll be camped out in the media room tweeting while my colleague @BBuchman_CNS will bring you the view from inside the courtroom.

Chuck Grassley had sought Christopher Steele's only deposition related to his Trump-Russia dossier, but a judge has ruled Grassley that Grassley can't have the testimony outright and that he would have to follow normal court procedures. https://t.co/sI53gWbBgT

Folks tryna act all fresh & brand new about Democrats swinging that bat at GOpers & that slimey Kavanaugh. NOPE! Merrick Garland din’t get that privilege of sitting where Brett the “bald-faced liar” is sitting.

Developing: Not sure what this is, because it's sealed, but it could be a big deal. This is a motion at district court, with a proposed order, filed by the special counsel's office just now in Andrew Miller's contempt case for failing to appear before the grand jury. [1/x] pic.twitter.com/x4m4SAJNpp

"The photographer cropped out empty space “where the crowd ended” for a new set of pictures requested by Trump on the first morning of his presidency, after he was angered by images showing his audience was smaller than Barack Obama’s in 2009."https://t.co/26vmAWAmac

Kavanaugh says receiving these documents raised no red flags for him that he was receiving stolen documents. @SenatorLeahy says: “Judge, I was born at night but not last night.” https://t.co/WVx6G2eFSu

After the Kavanaugh hearing concluded, a Democratic aide told BuzzFeed that they "have reason to believe" a conversation happened between Kavanaugh and someone at Trump's personal lawyer's firm about Mueller and they "are continuing to pursue it." https://t.co/WbmlbZ1jNo

How a Democrat could finagle a win in Mississippi
By George F. Will, Columnist
September 5 at 6:37 PM

Time was, there was no other American place quite like it. Fifty-six years ago — a long time in adaptable America’s adjustment of its behavior to its creed — this university town was a few weeks from the U.S. Army’s arrival to assist the matriculation of James Meredith. Today, at a restaurant on Courthouse Square, Democrat Mike Espy is tucking into one of the state’s signature products, farm-raised catfish — as Bill Clinton’s first agriculture secretary, Espy got the Army to serve it to soldiers often — for fuel as he campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat.

The compelling interests of this TURD is to keep poor people poor, people of color shut out of the American system, which includes housing, affordable health care, voting, you know those pesky little things that keeps us healthy & alive.

In email released by @CoryBooker titled “racial profiling,” Kavanaugh said he “generally” favored race-neutral security measures, but thought there was an “interim question” of whether government should use racial profiling before a supposedly race-neutral system was developed. pic.twitter.com/CE9KIAf9Ma

It is rather stupefying that Brett Kavanaugh is getting a hearing at all. He was nominated by an unindicted co-conspirator and could be the deciding vote to protect that same person from prosecution. As long as we are, we should know all we can about him. https://t.co/DjvSj6gRzN

Sen. Mazie Hirono says she is also releasing a document to the press: "I would defy anyone reading this document to be able to conclude that this should be deemed confidential in any way, shape or form" https://t.co/fulZ0HHyc3pic.twitter.com/cI2UVGVOvZ

Dick Durbin to Cory Booker: "I concur with what you are doing. Let's jump into this pit together … If there is going to be some retribution against the senator from New Jersey, count me in. I want to be part of this process." (via CBS) pic.twitter.com/4x9FW84L10

BREAKING: @SenBooker has announced that he is willingly violating the Committee Confidential rule and releasing the “racial profiling” email. “I recognize it comes w the penalty of expulsion from the Senate.” pic.twitter.com/50v1Oj2uMQ

The person or people behind that op-ed are every bit as treasonous as the craven sycophants around Dolt45. They are going against the rules of law. They aren’t saving this country for a noble cause. They have no noble cause. They have as much contempt for the public as Dolt45 does . You don’t care about this country enough to push your chest out and go on record about Dolt45.

A government photographer edited official pictures of Donald Trump’s inauguration to make the crowd appear bigger following a personal intervention from the president, according to newly released documents.

The photographer cropped out empty space “where the crowd ended” for a new set of pictures requested by Trump on the first morning of his presidency, after he was angered by images showing his audience was smaller than Barack Obama’s in 2009.

The detail was revealed in investigative reports released to the Guardian under the Freedom of Information Act by the inspector general of the US interior department. They shed new light on the first self-inflicted crisis of Trump’s presidency, when his White House falsely claimed he had attracted the biggest ever inauguration audience.

The records detail a scramble within the National Park Service (NPS) on 21 January 2017 after an early-morning phone call between Trump and the acting NPS director, Michael Reynolds. They also state that Sean Spicer, then White House press secretary, called NPS officials repeatedly that day in pursuit of the more flattering photographs.

Today's reason to call your senators and urge them to #StopKavanaugh: Kavanaugh would help kill the Voting Rights Act and uphold voter suppression laws that make it harder for voters of color to cast ballots.

I don't begrudge anyone for determining that they can be most effective from inside, but the itch to make such a case in national print media suggests a need to fluff ones ego, indulge a self-righteous streak, or maybe even convince onesself that staying is the right call.

Op-Ed, by Anonymous: There Are Roughly 65 Million of Us Who Predicted Every Awful Bit of This Shitshow (Or at Least Voted for Someone Who Did) & Y’all Called Us Vaginas Like That’s Even an Insult. Fuck You All & This Haunted Landfill of a Platform, Too

Seriously, I hope their cover gets blown tomorrow and they get pantsed live on Fox & Friends. No one who voluntarily signs up for this shitshow is decent. There are only those who sense the walls closing in.

Beware: a main complaint of the anon NYT op-ed is that Trump betrays the conservative revolution. It's thus part and parcel of washing plain old regular conservative movement insanity in the blood of the lamb, positioning it as Washington's respectable center.

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